Sliding glass door



Jan. 3, 1967 w. J. HORGAN, JR 3,295,587

SLIDING GLAS S DOOR Filed De. 23, 1963 6 sheets-sheet 1 BY WILL/A M J. Haga/w .//el

Jan. 3, 1967 w. J. HORGAN, JR 3,295,587

SLIDING GLAS S DOOR Filed Dec. 23, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

BY@ l l "'r' @MA ,17mm/ev WILLIAM J. HORN JE.

Jan. 3, 1967 Filed Dec. 23, 1963 W. J. HORGAN, JR

SLIDING GLASS DOOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 6

INVENT OR. w/LL/AM J. Hora/w J.

ATTORNEY Jan. 3, 1967 w. J; HORGAN, JR 3,295,587

SLIDING GLASS DOOR Filed Dec. 25, 1963 e sheets-sheet s l i' o 9 lil 2 o r Tl, /1/ ruf'lll: 11),/ l-JSI i M :Il vg L [Y y W 255 ,N :l f`/ z x 1 oo .2 Q IL .I// o? m f a l s. LL

T T W Wr-" INVENTOR. WILL/AM J. Hofman/Je. mf 'YK l .4 'il' ATTORJVE H Jan 3, 1957 w. J. HORGAN, JR 3,295,537

SLIDING GLASS DOOR Filed Dec. 25. 1963 P1 :ifm e. s f I FIG. IO

INVENTOR.

6 Sheets-Shea?l G United States Patent 3,295,537 SLIDING GLASS DOOR William J. Horgan, Jr., Pittsburgh, Pa., assigner to Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Dec. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 332,555 7 Claims. (Cl. 160-91) This invention relates to an improved sliding door assembly, and in particular to an improved combination sliding glass door and screen door assembly.

The sliding door assembly of the present invention is possessed of extremely thin lines, is of sturdy construction, is thoroughly weather-sealed and is designed to have a flat threshold or sill which is free of the upstanding rib-type runners found in prior art sliding door assemblies. p

The sliding panels and screens of the present invenvention are easily adjusted to insure an aligned tit with meeting door Stiles and jamb members.

In addition, the sliding door combination of this invention can be installed as either an interior or exterior screened unit by simple arrangement of its component parts during assembly. Furthermore, either during or after assembly, the panels can be arranged so that the sliding doors operate either from the left side or the right side of the door opening.

Other -features and advantages of this invention will be better understood when reference is had to lthe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an outside elevation of a two-panel interior screened unit of the present invention with the operating doors opening from the left;

FIG. 2 is an outside elevation of an alternate form of assembly showing a two-panel exterior screened unit of the present invention with the operating doors opening from the left;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken approximately through the central portion of the door assembly of FIG. 1, being also a section along the line III-III of FIG. 5; FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-section taken approximately through the central portion of the door assembly of FIG. 2, being also -a section along the line IV-IV of FIG. 6;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken substantially along the line V-V of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken substantially along the line VI-VI of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an outside elevation of a two-panel interior screened unit of the present invention with the operating doors opening from the right;

FIG. 8 is an outside elevation of a two-panel exterior screened unit of the present invention With the operating doors opening from the right;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section taken substantially along the line IX--IX of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a cross-section taken substantially along the line X-X of FIG. 8.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show outsideV elevations of alternate form-s of assembly of a two panel, screened unit of the present invention with the operating doors opening from the left, as viewed. FIG. 1 depicts an interior screened unit with a sliding screen door (not shown) concealed b..- hind sliding glass panel 1t) and xed glass panel 12. FIG. 2 depicts an exterior screened unit with the sliding glass panel 10 (not shown) concealed behind screen door 1-4 and fixed glass panel 12. The glass panels and screen door of FIGS. 1 and 2 are mounted within a door frame assembly comprising a header 16 and a threshold or sill 18 attached to a pair of verticaljamb members 20.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the header 16 is a ICC channeled member which extends across the top of the door opening. Each of the channels in header 16 receives and removably secures an upper portion of one of the doors between downwardly extended flanges. Chanel 22, which receives the sliding glass panel 10, has a pair of opposed longitudinal grooves 24 formed on its anges to support a weatherstripping material 26, such as a vinyl bulb or wool pile. Channel 28, which receives the fixed glass panel 12, has an elongated protrusion 29 formed on its flange furthest from the sliding glass panel 10 to laterally space and abut against the xed glass panel 12 when the panel is installed Within channel 28. A space is provided between the xed glass panel 12 and channel 23 to receive a weather sealing material 30, such as a resilient plastic foam. Channel 32, which receives the sliding screen door 14, has a longitudinal track 34 formed on its innermost flange to slidingly support the screen door. Circular receptacles or rib members 36 are formed on header 16 to receive screws extended through the jambs 29, thereby securing the header to the jamb members.

The threshold or sill 13 presents a virtually at upper surface absent any upwardly extending rib-type structure. The threshold 18 is a two-piece unit composed of a threshold frame member 3S and a threshold insert or cap member 4t). The threshold trame member 38, in its installed position, is provided with an upwardly open central channel along its full length to receive the narrower threshold insert member 46 therein. The closed or web portion of the channel in the threshold frame member has a relatively wide upstanding rib portion 46 which is narrower than the channel opening and located substantially centrally thereof.

The threshold insert member 40 is a channel member having a straight flange 47 and an inwardly turned L- shaped flange 48 extending from its web. In its installed position, the iianges of the threshold insert member are inserted in the central channel yof the threshold frame member 38, and abut against the sides of the upstanding rib 46. The insert member 4t) is thus spaced within the frame member 3S and provides two guide channels therebetween.

A relatively wide guide channel 42 is provided for the sliding glass panel 10 and a relatively narrower guide channel 44 is provided for the sliding screen door 14. Depending upon the orientation of the threshold insert member with respect to the threshold frame member, the L-shaped ange 48 of the threshold insert member will place the narrower guide channel 44 either towards the inside of the door opening (FIG. 3) or towards the outside of the door opening (FIG. 4). The threshold insert member is attached to the threshold frame member by screws (not shown).

In addition to providing guide channels 42 and 44, the threshold 18 includes circular receptacles or ribs 50, which receive screws extended through jambs 20 to secure the jambs thereto. A plurality of weepholes 52 are provided in the threshold members to communicate the outside atmosphere with guide channels 42 and 44, thereby providing exit passages for any water or other liuids which may tend to collect in the guide channels.

The glass plate 54 of the sliding glass panel 10 is surrounded by a gasket 56. The top portion of the glass plate 54, i.e., its upper gasketed edge, is inserted within top rail 58. Top rail 58 has upwardly extending flanges 60, which protrude into the channel 22 of the header 16. In the installed position of sliding glass panel 10, the flanges 66 on top rail 58 are in intimate contact with the weatherstripping material 26, supported within and along the full length of the channel 22.

The gasketed bottom portion of glass plate S4 is mounted -within bottom rail 62. The lower portion of bottom rail 62 is hollowed out to receive wheel housing 64, in which is mounted door wheels 66 (one of which is shown) secured to the housing 64 by means of axle screw 68 and axle nut 70. The wheel housing 64 hasa bottom rail guide 72 which extends into guide channel 42 ofthe threshold or sill 18 and holds weatherstripping material, such as a vinyl bulb or Wool pile, the entire length of the sliding glass door assembly. Bottom rail guide inserts 74, of nylon or a like material, are aflixed to bottom rail guide 72 and provide a reasonably tight tit between the bottom rail guide and the side walls of guide channel 42. Top rail 58 and bottom rail 62 are secured to vertical Stiles by means of screws (not shown) received in apertures 63. It should be particularly noted, for reasons to :be explained hereinafter, that top rail 58 and bottom rail 62 `are of identical conguration.

The wheel housing 64 includes means (not shown) to adjust the elevation of the sliding glass panel by independently lifting or lowering the longitudinal ends of the bottom rail 62. Preferably, this panel adjustment means is` the device disclosed in application Serial No. 162,177, filed December 26, 1961, now Patent No. 3,114,944 by the present inventor, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The use of a panel adjustment means permits the sliding glass door to be properly aligned with cooperating jamb members `and door stiles.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the conguration of the top and bottom rails of the xed glass panel 12 isI identical. The glass plate 76 of the xed glass panel 12 is surrounded by a gasket 78 similar to the gasket 56 surrounding the sliding glass plate 54. Top rail 80 of xed glass panel 12 surrounds the top edge of glass plate 76 and has upwardly extending flanges 82 which protrude into channel 28 of the header 16. Flanges 82 are'supported in intimate contact with weather sealing material 30. The top rail 80 is secured to a pair of fixed door Stiles by means of screws (not shown) which pass through the stiles and communicate with circular `apertures 84.

The bottom portion of glass plate 76 of the xed glass panel 12 is also enclosed within a portion of gasket 78. The gasketed glass is wedged within the upper opening provided in bottom rail 86. Bottom rail 86 has yan aperture 88 therein which receives screws (not shown) inserted through the end walls of lixed vertical stiles to secure the fbottom rail 86 to the stiles. Downwardly extending flanges 90 form an opening in the lower portion of bottom rail 86. Flanges 90 are provided with longitudinal channels to receive weatherstripping material 92, which is compressed between bottom rail member 86 and threshold 18. It will be noted that flanges 82 of top rail 80 are similarly provided with longitudinal channels for reasons which will be apparent hereinafter.

The sliding screen door 14 is provided with a fiberglass or similar screen material 94 surrounded by a screen spline or mounting gasket 95, of vinyl or a similar material. The top portion of screen material 94 and a length of screen spline are inserted Within a channel 96 provided in screen top rail 98. An extending arm 100 of screen top rail 98 protrudes in the channel32 of header 16. A-rm 100 supports wheel members 102 (one of which is shown) by means of axle screw 104 and axle nut 106. WheelY members 102 slidingly engage track 34 provided within channel 32 of header 16. Additionally, axle screw 104 and axle nut 106 support top rail guide members 108, which may be composed of nylon or a similar material. Guide members 108 provide lateral spacing and a reasonably tight t for top rail 98 within channel 32.

The bottom portion of screen material 94 is similarly supported by screen bottom rail 110. Screen bottom rail 110 has an arm 112 serving as its screen bottom rail guide and extending into opening 44 of the sill 18. Arm 112 is provided with inserts of nylon or a similar material to provide a reasonably tight t between the arm and the side walls of channel 44. Screen top rail 98 and screen 75 bottom rail are attached to vertical screen Stiles 1 by means of corner brackets (not shown).

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the sliding glass panel` l 10 has a sliding lock stile 114 and a sliding interlocking stile 116. The gasketed side edges of the sliding glass plate 54 are inserted within the openings provided in the The lock stile 114 is slidably insertable i sliding stiles. into channel 118 formed by the extending flanges 120 on its cooperating jamb member 20. are of identical conguration. Secured within the anges 120 of cooperating jamb member 20 are lengths of weather-stripping material 122 which guarantee a watertight seal when lock stile 114 is inserted within the chani nel 113. Sliding interlocking stile 116 has an L-shaped arm 124 which denes an opening 126.

Slidably engageable with arm 124 within its opening 126 is a corresponding L-shaped arm 128 of a fixed glass panel 12. Arm 128 receives the arm 124 within its own opening 130. Arm 128 also supports and secures a length of weatherstripping material 132 which seals the opening 126. The arm 128 is a portion of the fixed interlocking stile 134 of xed glass panel 12.' The gasketed side edges of iixed glass plate 76V are inserted within openings provided in iixed` interlocking stile 134 and in fixed stile 136.'

Fixed stile 136V has extending anges 13 8 which abut its cooperating jamb member 20. A portion of one of the anges 138 also abuts an inwardly directed surface porf tion 140 of cooperating jamb member 20. The other ilange 138 supports a length of weatherstripping material 142 in sealing engagement with the inwardly directed sur-r the sliding screen door is closed, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The screen stile 146 has an insect seal 152 mounted within channel 154. The insect seal 152 is of the identical configuration as the screen bumper 148,i An extension of for reasons to be apparent hereinafter. the insect seal 152 abuts against the adjacent fixed interlocking stile 134 and fixed glass panel 76, thereby closing` the gap 156 and providing the required sealing action.;

The seal 152 is preferably composed of a resilient material to insure positive sealing.

It should now be apparent that the views shown inV FIGS. l, 3 and 5 are substantially the reverse or mirror image of the views shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, respectively. 'Ihe one exception, of course, is `that the threshold frame member 38 is always retained in a position in which its weepholes 52 are directed to the outside of the door opening. However, the remaining structural parts of the door frame assembly, comprising the header, the

jambs and the threshold insert member, are constructedk to be reversed within the door opening to accommodate either an interior (FIGS. 1, 3 and 5) or exterior (FIGS.

2, 4 and 6) screening arrangement.

The use of identical members and, in particular, a reversible threshold insert member which cooperates with the threshold frame member to provide guide channels of the requisite width therebetween combines to make` these alternative screening arrangements possible. In principle, by turning the header, jambs and threshold insert member 180 about a vertical axis through the center of the door frame or opening, while leaving the threshold frame member with the weepholes directed to .the outside, it is possible to selectively set up the door frame to accommodate either an inside or outside sliding screen.

It should also be apparent that by reason of the` top and bottom rails of each of the individual glass panels being identical and symmetrical, the panels can be properly assembled within the door frame regardless of which lamb members 20KE Screen bumper 148," made of a resilient material, is inserted within channelin screen lock stile 144 and abuts the jamb 20 when or the above alternative screening arrangements is selected. Stated differently, the arrangement of the glass panels shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 can be achieved by rotating the glass panels as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 180 about a horizontal axis through the center of the respective panels. The wheel housing assembly and/or weatherstripping being separable from the panels can be installed on each of the glass panels according to the arnangement selected prior to assembling the panels within the door frame. Thus, the interlocking feature of the glass panels is retained with either alternative screening arrangement.

By reason of the sliding screen door having identical vertical stiles, it is apparent that the screen door can be installed for either selected screening arrangement. Stated differently, the arrangement of the screen door shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 can be achieved by rotating the screen door as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 180 about a vertical axis through the center of the screen door.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show outside elevations of further alternative forms of assembly of a two-panel, screened unit of lthe present invention with the operating doors opening from the right, as viewed. The same reference numerals used in FIGS. 1 to 6 are employed to designate identical parts in FIGS. 7 to 10 in illustrating this additional novel feature of the invention.

A-s best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the twoapanel screened unit of the present invention can, in addition to the arrangements disclosed above, be initially assembled as an inside or outside screened unit with the operating doors opening from the right. Furthermore, after an operating side and screening arrangement has been initially selected and installed, the glass panels and screen door can thereafter be re-arranged to change the side from which the sliding doors 4operate without changing the door frame.

FIGS. 7 and 9, as viewed, show the right side operating door counterpart of the arrangement of FIGS. 1, 3 and 5. 'In the arrangement of FIGS. 7 and 9, the door frame assembly, comprising the header, the jambs, and the threshold frame and insert members, is identical to that depicted in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5. However, by reason of the top and bottom rails of each of the individual glass panels being identical and symmetrical and by further reason of the screen door stiles being identical, it should be apparent that the glass panels and screen door can equally well be positioned from the left jamb or the right jamb. The wheel housing assembly and/or weatherstripping, as before stated, is completely adaptable to either arrangement.

Stated dierently, the glass panel and screen door arrangement of FIGS. l, 3 and 5 can be re-arranged to conform to that shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, with-out changing the door frame assembly, by rotating the glass panels 180 in their 4respective ymounting planes, re-attach-ing the wheel housing assembly and/ or weatherstripping and sliding the screen door to the opposite jamb. Obviously, the converse, Le., changing a right side operating door arrangement to a left side operating door arrangement, without changing the door frame assembly, is equally within the scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 8 and 10, as viewed, show the right side operating door counterpart of the arrangement of FIGS. 2, 4 and 6. From the foregoing it should be appreciated that the arrangement of FIGS. 8 and 10 can equally well be achieved either as an initial assembly or as a result of rearranging the glass panels and screen door, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6. Conversely, the arrangement of FlGS. 2, 4 and 6 can be obtained from re-arranging the glass panels and screen door, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10.

In carrying out the spirit of this invention, it must be appreciated that all hardware is interchangeable from left to right and unaffected by turning the panels over. Suitable knock-out plugs and aperture concealment plugs 6 are provided, as required. The locks can operate from the inside -or outside.

The sliding door assembly above described is a single glazed unit comprising one sliding glass panel, one xed glass panel and one slidin-g screen door. However, it must be understood, and it is in fact preferred, that a double glazed unit could be used -in place of a single glazed unit by simple modification of the glass receiving portion of the rails land stiles of the glazed panels. It should also be understood that the two-panel unit, las herein described, may be adapted to accommodate additional panel-s, one or more of which may be sliding. Such arrangements are fully disclosed in application Serial No. 162,177, supra, and assigned to the ass-ignee of the present invention.

I claim:

1. A reversible sliding panel and sliding screen door assembly for selectively positioning the screen door on either the inside or the outside of an opening comprising a door frame having a header, a pair of jambs and a threshold, said threshold comprising a threshold frame member having a longitudinal `opening in its upper surface, a threshold insert member mounted within said longitudinal openin-g 4and providing with said threshold frame member in a iirst position one arrangement of laterally spaced guide channels of different widths and in la second position the reverse arrangement of said guide channels, .and at least 'one sliding panel and Ione sliding screen door guided by said guide channels and said header.

2. A reversible sliding panel and sliding screen door assembly as .in claim 1 wherein s'aid sliding panel has rail memb-ers of substantially identical configuration on both its top and bot-tom.

3. A reversible sliding panel and sliding screen door assembly as in claim 2 including at least one fixed panel having nail 'members of `substantially identical configuration -on both its top and bottom.

4. A reversible sliding panel assembly for selectively positioning a sliding panel to operate from either the left `side or the right side of an opening comprising a door frame having a header, a pair of jambs and a threshold, at least one sliding panel and one iixed panel mounted within said door frame, said sliding panel and said iixed panel each having an interlocking stile member and each having interchangeable top and bottom rail members of substantially identical conguration, a wheel assembly mounted within the bottom rail member of said sliding panel, said Wheel assembly being interchangeably receivable within either the top or bottom rail member of said sliding panel, whereby said panels may be rotated degrees about a horizontal axis through their respective centers and, without reversing said frame, said panels may be remounted within said frame to selectively position the sliding panel to operate from either the left side or the right side of said opening. Y

5. A reversible sliding panel assembly a-s in claim 4 wherein the pair of jambs are of substantially identical coniiguration.

6. A reversible sliding panel assembly for selectively positioning a sliding panel either Von the inside or the outside -of an opening and to operate from either the left side or the right side of said opening, comprising a door frame having a header, a pair of jambs and a threshold, said threshold comprising a threshold frame member having a longitudinal opening yin its upper surface, a threshold insert member mounted within said longitudinal opening and providing lwith said threshold frame member in a first position one arrangement of guide channels of different widths, and in a second position with said insert member rotated 180 degrees from said iirst position about its central vertical axis the reverse arrange-ment of said guide channels, at least one sliding panel, one sliding screen door 4and one iixed panel mounted within said door frame, said sliding panel and said sliding screen door being guided by said guide channels and said header, said sliding panel 7 8 and said fixed panel each having an interlocking stile 2,913,046 11/ 1959 Sharp et al. i v- 160-91 member land each having interchangeable top and bottom 2,950,755 g/1960 Maloney 160 91 rail members of substantially identical configuration. 3 070 856 1/1963 Minick 160 91 X 7. A reversible sliding panel assembly as in claim 6 wherein the pair of jambs are of substantially identical 5 conguration.

3,136,396 6/1964 Sullivan 160-91 X CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

References Cited bythe Examiner HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENTS P. M. CAUN, Assistant Examiner.

2,877,511 3/1959 Viola 16-96 

1. A REVERSIBLE SLIDING PANEL AND SLIDING SCREEN DOOR ASSEMBLY FOR SELECTIVELY POSITIONING THE SCREEN DOOR ON EITHER THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE OF AN OPENING COMPRISING A DOOR FRAME HAVING A HEADER, A PAIR OF JAMBS AND A THRESHOLD, SAID THRESHOLD COMPRISING A THRESHOLD FRAME MEMBER HAVING A LONGITUDINAL OPENING IN ITS UPPER SURFACE, A THRESHOLD INSERT MEMBER MOUNTED WITHIN SAID LONGITUDINAL OPENING AND PROVIDING WITH SAID THRESHOLD FRAME MEMBER IN A FIRST POSITION ONE ARRANGEMENT OF LATERALLY SPACED GUIDE CHANNELS OF DIFFERENT WIDTHS AND IN A SECOND POSITION THE REVERSE ARRANGEMENT OF SAID GUIDE CHANNELS, AND AT LEAST ONE SLIDING PANEL AND ONE SLIDING SCREEN DOOR GUIDED BY SAID GUIDE CHANNELS AND SAID HEADER. 